an elaborate TeaChat DHP experiment

It all started when ED sent me a sample of something labeled Da Hong Pao Yancha (oolong).... Ed has just now identified it as "Big Red Robe from DTH", whatever that is.

I've been having trouble brewing oolongs that don't just taste like women's bathroom soap for a few weeks now. Doesn't matter which oolong, which vessel, temp, steep time, etc.

I begged Brandon for some brewing tips, because he seemed to be the one who knows its mysteries.

After a bit of back-and-forth with him, and input from Salsero, I was setting out to brew it for upwards of a minute in pyrex. One tablespoon to 5-6 ounces.

People began to chime in, and an elaborate series of experiments led to the following:

1 T oolong
6 oz. almost boiling water
55 seconds plus time for the pour through metal strainer

brewing vessel was (get this): preheated baby Crock Pot (name brand), which was resting in boiling water in a preheated stoneware vessel just large enough to contain the Crock Pot

Results:
"the color is clear with a bit of a pumpkin pie color to it"
"the fragrance is light, pleasant, maybe a little woody"
"the flavor is *not soapy in any way*"
"It does not taste like prissy women's fragrances in any way"
"and I find it enjoyable"
"it was a borderline ridiculous effort to finally get a 'not like prissy women's fragrance' experience"

Was high drama by the standards of making a single cup of tea. A whole series of experiments took place.

This has me puzzled. I happen to like oolongs quite a bit, but haven't tasted anything flowery in them.

However, you drink pu. And all I can say is that pu tastes simply awful to me. And that is saying a lot from one who works with dogs. This is not meant as an insult, but honestly, perhaps your tastes are very much different from mine.